This is the awkward stage where things start to look and feel out of place.
Things start to grow upwards, then sideways and generally carries on that way for a few years yet.
As they shed their baby shapes and lose a lot of coordination growing into their new bodies, their confidence takes a hard knock in the process. It takes a while to get that balance back.
This is a time to be especially sensitive because it's also the time that body image starts to rear its ugly head. Puberty and hormonal changes are hard enough without any added pressure. We want young people going into adolescence feeling good about the way they look not self conscious and critical.
Prepare them early for the different changes that will occur and that most are temporary. Normalise the experience. This is not the time to recognise their 'individuality'. They don't want to stand out yet, they want to blend in.
Help them to accept themselves.
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